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Hot trends for cooler fall weather.
"This is one of those seasons that comes along once in a decade when fashion really reinvents itself. So get naked, and go shopping!”
– David Wolfe, Creative Director, The Doneger Group
Is it fall already? Seems like just yesterday when we were happily stripping down to our bikinis and board shorts. But as the thermometer begins its gradual descent, it’s time to get dressed again. Brace yourself for a multiplicity of trends and revel in the opportunity to invent your own style.
Here’s a look at what’s happening in fashion this fall. After several seasons of voluminous shapes and loose silhouettes, fashion is slimming down. Multi-layered looks give way to a more minimal approach. And while the geometry lesson continues, expect a narrower interpretation of shape than spring’s bubbles and trapezes. You will still see oversized jackets, but they will be paired with something slim on the bottom.
A-line dresses will be worn with a fitted jacket or knit sweater that pulls the dress in and adds shape in all the right places.
While some ’60s space-age silhouettes and necklines persist along with the bright tights of the ’80s, the more interesting trend is the predominance of gorgeous grown-up clothes – shapely dresses, chic trousers, gloves, hats and fur.
KEY PIECES
Overall, the fall collections are simple, elegant and glamorous. Choose your look from either end of the spectrum: menswear-inspired (wide, soft pants and vests), or ultra-feminine (cinched waists and pencil skirts). Take inventory of your wardrobe and make a note of any key elements you need to add:
DRESSES AND SKIRTS
Dresses are still a major part of the fashion picture. While some designers are urging shorter hemlines, others are going to great lengths – to the knee and beyond. The most obvious variation this season seems to be in the waistline. Look for jumpers, wraps and tailored, ladylike shapes.
Skirts are ultra-feminine this fall, pairing perfectly with strong jackets and chunky knits, adding a soft attitude to a serious season. Pencil shapes, pleated kilts, high waists and tiered styles create a variety of silhouettes. Pair them with opaque hosiery for a finished look.
PANTS
After taking the backseat to dresses for several seasons, pants are making a major comeback, with more relaxed looks gradually overtaking the skinny trend. While slim cuts still have their place, slouchy is the new sexy.
FOOT AND LEGWEAR
Still walking tall this fall, the platform trend remains, but it’s subtler, with many designers adding a platform underneath the toe box. Look for plenty of ladylike heels and traditional shapes, as well. Those who prefer to stay grounded will find ample selections of flats, while fashionable women on the move will be up to their ankles and knees in boots. Opaque tights and patterned hosiery fill in the gap between the hemline and the shoe.
BELTS
Pack away your chunky belts. This season’s shapemakers are slim. Add a skinny belt to dresses, sweaters and jackets for a defined waistline and feminine effect.
HANDBAGS
The cornerstone of any well-dressed woman’s outfit is her handbag, and fall is the time to get serious – perhaps invest in a “status bag.” Interesting textures, hardware and even art-inspired features are the details that make this season’s handbags exceptional. Reflective of clothing styles is the trend for fur on handbags.
Snakeskin and crocodile are also big for fall. In sync with the color trends on the catwalk, expect to see a lot of deep plums, reds and printed bags. For day, the oversize bag survives another season, but with a trend toward more structure. A classic clutch is the quintessential choice for evening.
HATS AND GLOVES
Fall 2007 marks the revival of the hat. From wide-brimmed styles to fedoras, feminine head coverings are in style once again.
The ultimate accessory this season is a pair of statement-making gloves. While you’ll find them in every length, the hottest hand-warmers of the moment are extra-long, with elbow-length styles stealing the show.
COLORS, PRINTS AND FABRICS
Fall’s color forecast calls for gray skies mixed with moody blues and purple haze. Perhaps mirroring our uncertain times, the colors are decidedly solemn. The “new black” is gray, but don’t despair. Shades of charcoal and anthracite in a variety of luscious fabrics make the season’s neutral much more desirable. Next to gray, purple rules, along with subtle shades of navy and smoky blue. Other major colors this season include winter red and earthy tones along with a season-less palette of light neutrals. But don’t be afraid to add a shot of hot (vibrant red, electrifying blue or neon yellow), head-to-toe, if you dare, or as an accent with black. Powerful and predictable prints, borrowed from the menswear lines, make their seasonal appearance: plaids, pinstripes, checks and tweeds... fabrics are both sumptuous and practical. You’ll want to make room in your closet for rich velvet, sleek leather and versatile jersey.
Metallic is still an important look that can work throughout the wardrobe. Add a subtle touch of shine as an underpinning or go bold with a jacket in warm gold or cool pewter. Expect to see lots of patent leather, adding a sophisticated shine. If you can’t take it in large doses, opera-length gloves, ankle boots, a belt or handbag are safe bets.
Perhaps the biggest story to emerge this fall is the proliferation of fur. Designers are making liberal use of it, not only in coats, but as trim on dresses and sleeves as well. Ethically-conscious fashion plates can opt for faux versions, ignore the trend altogether, or join PETA and fight it.
REALITY MEETS THE RUNWAY
You may find the fashions available in department stores and boutiques to be noticeably different from what is shown in magazine spreads and runway shows. That’s because only a certain percentage of any designer’s runway collection is bought by the retailer, and even then, colors and details are often changed. What’s more, some of the eye-catching pieces are never produced for retail sale because they were created strictly for show.
So what will you really wear this fall? Just because the style gurus insist that you need an entirely new wardrobe doesn’t mean you have to toss out everything you own. The key is to cull out the obviously outdated (and items that no longer fit well), cling to the classics and add a few fresh updates. Don’t be afraid to mix and match. Isn’t that the fun of fashion?
When you begin to experiment, taking ordinary items and mixing them up with something that you normally would not consider, or, layering items in ways you never thought of previously, you will discover your own unique sense of style.
REAL MEN OF STYLE
Although not as erratic as the seasonal shifts in women’s fashion, men’s style is changing. The indifferent approach to clothes is dying. Pants are trimmer, shirts are tucked in and belts are back. Fabrics are rich in both color and texture, yet made lighter and more practical for mild days and year-round wear.
As the steamy summer gradually gives way to clear, fall days and crisp, cool evenings, fashion is about layering. As the season progresses, you’ll want to have all the pieces to mix and match. Following are six essentials to have in your closet for fall:
CARDIGAN
Thin enough to wear over a dress shirt and underneath a jacket, the cardigan is one of the most versatile items you can have in your wardrobe. Try one made out of lightweight merino wool or cashmere. A double zipper adds comfort when sitting. For a little extra pizzazz, look for small pockets or some sort of patch on the elbows.
PINSTRIPED PANTS
Classic pinstripes are perfect for formal or more casual occasions: navy with gray, gray with brown or black with any color pinstripe. Make the look more modern by matching pinstriped pants with a fun striped shirt and/or an argyle sweater.
STRIPED SHIRT
While striped shirts are nothing new, they are an essential staple. Stripes are easy to incorporate into many ensembles and add punch to fall’s layered look. Just get one to wear with jeans, under a sweater or with a suit.
SPORTS JACKET
A sports jacket is a must-have item, and the styles and available fabrics make it practical and versatile. Moleskin and corduroy give a less formal look than tweed. Wool or wool and cashmere combinations with two or three buttons are also good choices. Stick with neutral tones that can easily be worn with jeans or dressier trousers and with a dress shirt or a printed tee underneath.
FLAT-FRONT TWILL PANTS
A pair of twill, flat-front pants can take you almost anywhere you need to go, from a night out with friends to a casual day at the office. They come in an array of colors and patterns and pair well with anything from a turtleneck or printed tee to a button-down shirt or merino wool sweater.
JEANS
The quintessential American staple, jeans simply go with everything. With a variety of available styles and washes, pick up a pair that suits your taste. Wear them with just about anything for a cool, comfortable look that is always “in.”
GETTING IT TOGETHER
The ultimate goal is effortless style – mixing and matching pieces to create a personal look. If your ensemble is comfortable, expresses your personality and makes you feel more confident, you are a man of style.
For fabulous men’s clothing tips, visit www.askandyaboutclothes.com. Andy Gilchrist shares practical advice on dressing well and making the right impressions – a refreshing approach to the wardrobe issues facing real men today.
